Diverging Diamond Interchange Planned for Gwinnett County
As perimeter-area drivers get accustomed to the new diverging diamond interchange at Ashford Dunwoody Road and I-285, some Gwinnett County commuters will soon do the same. A similar project is planned for Pleasant Hill Road and I-85. Transportation officials say the diverging diamond has improved traffic in states like Missouri and Utah. But it’s new to Georgia. Gwinnett County transportation director Kim Conroy says the design shifts cars to the left-hand side of the road as they enter the interstate.
“You have such a heavy left turn movement,” he explains, “That what that does is it allows those folks to go straight through now and continue moving without that left-turn phase.”
And, Conroy says, the project is relatively inexpensive.
“The only thing that we could foresee, other than this, would be a complete removal, reconstruction of the bridge, wider lanes, etc. or more lanes,” Conroy says, “You’re talking somewhere in the neighborhood, I’ve heard estimates of $60-80 million.”
Gwinnett’s diverging diamond will cost about 4 million dollars. Conroy estimates construction will begin in 30-45 days. The project will take about a year to complete.
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